Chicago Blackhawks: 5 People To Watch If Blackhawks Are To Make NHL Playoffs

The Chicago Blackhawks are currently battling for their playoff lives as they finish out their February schedule with road games Thursday (a 3-0 win at Nashville) and Sunday (at Minnesota) sandwiched around a home date Friday night with Phoenix.

Obviously, a playoff berth is dependent on everyone making the push together. However, here are five people who could be especially instrumental in the upcoming playoff push.

1. Joel Quenneville

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Head coach Joel Quenneville of the Chicago Blackhawks watches from the bench during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on February 12, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blackhawks 3

Quenneville should be back on the bench for Thursday's big game with the Predators. The Blackhawks head coach missed the last four games after being hospitalized last week with a bleeding ulcer.

Coach Q's return brings up some interesting questions.

Are the lines going to remain the same as they were in his absence?

Chicago's offensive and defensive pairings have recently undergone a face-lift. Does Quenneville continue to tinker?

Was the ulcer really unrelated to the stress of coaching the Blackhawks this season?

Mike Haviland was a solid substitute on the bench, but has Quenneville put his health issues behind him this season?

Whether the Q-stache is in a hospital bed or on the Blackhawks' bench will prove to be a big factor in the season's final weeks.

2. Stan Bowman

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CHICAGO - JUNE 11: General Manager Stan Bowman of the Chicago Blackhawks speaks to the crowd during the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup victory parade and rally on June 11, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Is the Blackhawks GM going to be able to pull the trigger on any further trades before Monday's deadline?

Will he want to if an offer comes along?

The word is that Chicago would like to add a veteran presence to the defense. So far, names have been thrown around but no deals have been made.

Has Bowman decided that the organization will roll the dice with the present roster?

Bowman may elect to stand pat on the theory that team chemistry as it is right now is more important than bringing on an outside player.

Or, he may not be able to fit what he feels is an impact piece under the cap.

Niklas Hjalmarsson missed a good portion of the third period at Nashville Thursday night.  As of now, no word from the team on the extent of his upper body injury.  If he, or any Chicago d-man were to be out for any length of time, the urgency for another defenseman grows.

For the next few days, Bowman may figure heavily in the fortunes of the Blackhawks this spring.

3. Ryan Johnson

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 25: Ryan Johnson #17 of the Chicago Blackhawks shoots the puck against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center on January 25, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 4-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Johnson is currently centering the fourth line. His recent return from an injury suffered in Dallas has been important because of his defense as well as his faceoff abilities.

Johnson's continued presence in the lineup is crucial, not so much for what he adds offensively, but for how the Blackhawks can set up their lines.

Johnson at center allows Patrick Sharp to stay on the wing. It allows Dave Bolland to try to get the second line rolling. It should also keep Tomas Kopecky in a more productive spot on the fourth line.

In addition to that, he wins faceoffs at a 61.4 percent rate this season.  And once again, the Blackhawks are able to roll four lines.

Can Johnson stay healthy for these last two months? This minor midseason pickup could have a huge impact on Chicago's playoff hopes.

4. Marian Hossa

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on February 12, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 in an over

It's pretty simple—Hossa must spearhead a surge in production from the second line.

Dave Bolland has seven points in his last five games. Hossa has five points in his last five, but someone needs to be the scorer on that line. It's not supposed to be Bryan Bickell, who has one more goal than Hossa this season.

Hossa has picked up his play the last week or so and put Chicago in the driver's seat Thursday with a breakaway goal.  Hossa's previous goal with a goalie in net and other players on the ice had been on January 9th.

Since then he had a penalty shot goal and two empty netters. Hossa had seven goals in the season's first seven games and seven goals in the next 54 games.  How about another seven in the last 21 games?

If the Hawks are to keep picking up points, he needs to keep putting the puck in the net.

5. Defenseman X

Will the Blackhawks bring in a veteran defenseman?

Who will that player be?

How will he fit in with the team?

Will his play make a difference?

If help isn't brought in, is there a player within the organization who will contribute? Nick Boynton?  Jassen Cullimore? Garnet Exelby?

Who this defenseman turns out to be and how he performs could be vital to the Blackhawks' playoff chances.